The RSPCA reported 99 hedgehog-related incidents in Dorset last year.

A recently published report has revealed that the charity dealt with 2,528 Dorset incidents in total over the past year.

Across the country there were far more incidents involving hedgehogs than any other form of wildlife, with 4,818 hedgehog related incidents, at an average of 13 per day.

More than 2,700 hedgehogs in total were admitted to RSPCA wildlife centres last year with nearly 12,000 coming through their doors over the past 5 years.

These figures were released as part of Hedgehog Awareness Week, an annual event organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society which runs from May 3 to 9.

Common reasons for hedgehogs being taken into the RSPCA are because they are orphaned, underweight, injured or ill.

Evie Button, RSPCA scientific officer, said: “Regardless of coronavirus, wild animals still need rescuing by the RSPCA and breeding season is the start of a really busy time for us.

“We’ll have lots of calls about baby birds, orphaned fox cubs and hedgehogs which have come out of hibernation and need help to build up their body weight.

“It’s Hedgehog Awareness Week which is very appropriate as these much-loved prickly creatures are the most frequent visitor to our wildlife centres.”

Of the 10,817 wildlife related incidents reported since lockdown, 540 have concerned hedgehogs. Traditionally, April starts to see more hedgehogs coming into the RSPCA centres, as they leave hibernation in search of food. In spite of the lockdown, RSPCA rescue teams are continuing work as designated key workers and the charity has launched an emergency appeal to help it continue to rescue, rehabilitate and release the animals in need during the crisis.

As we move into breeding season, the RSPCA is bracing for a surge in calls to rescue sick, injured and orphaned wild animals and birds as the breeding season starts.

Mrs Button continued: “Watching wildlife is such a great source of comfort to people at the moment and we are so grateful to the public for calling us when they are concerned about any animal. However in the case of baby animals, including fledglings, it’s often better to leave them where they are as they are often rescued by their mum or get themselves out of trouble. There’s lots of advice on our website.”

If you would like to donate to the RSPCA, or simply find out more information, you can do so at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.